Dealing with Herpes?

Andrew Hernandez MemberOP

20 messages
joined Nov 2005

#1 · Sep 3, 2003

I've heard that outbreaks like cold sores on the mouth are caused by things like a weakened immune system, stress, or vitamin deficiencies...

Which of those is actually true?
How should one treat it? And what should I be careful to avoid?

Andrew Hernandez MemberOP

20 messages
joined Nov 2005

#2 · Sep 4, 2003

Is there such a thing as a fever triggered by kissing among young people? Is it viral? Like Herpes?
If my memory serves me right—though it’s a bit foggy—I feel like I read something about this once, but I can't quite recall.
How does it typically manifest, and what are the treatment options?
Thanks for any help.

Ryan Sanchez55 Newcomer

2 messages
joined Sep 2003

#3 · Sep 4, 2003

That’s just what happens when you’re out there kissing in the wind...

Jacob Wilson50 Active Member

103 messages
joined Sep 2016

#4 · Sep 4, 2003

Andrew Hernandez said:I hear people saying that getting a cold sore is basically just your body's way of screaming that your immune system is trashed, you're stressed out, or you're running low on vitamins. Is that actually true?

What exactly is this supposed to be?
How should I treat this? And more importantly, what should I be avoiding?

So apparently, all that stuff is what causes it. Real genius.

The best med? Honestly, ANTIVIRIL is the only way to go—but only if you use it IMMEDIATELY. I mean, the absolute second you feel that first sting. You should always have some sitting in your medicine cabinet, otherwise, you're basically sprinting to the drugstore.

Frank Lee6 Member

42 messages
joined Oct 2005

#5 · Sep 4, 2003

Andrew Hernandez,

Before you decide to start yet another thread, perhaps take a moment to browse through our previous discussions? You might find that all your questions have already been answered there.

It would also be helpful if the moderators kept a closer eye on things to prevent duplicate topics from popping up.

Casey Palmer5 Regular

470 messages
joined Jan 2016

#6 · Sep 4, 2003

Jacob Wilson50 said:The best medicine? Honestly, ANTIVIRAL stuff works wonders if you use it IMMEDIATELY!!! Like, the very second you feel that first sting. You should always keep some in your home medicine cabinet, otherwise you're stuck racing to the pharmacy...

It's basically the American version of Virolex gel.

Casey Palmer5 Regular

470 messages
joined Jan 2016

#7 · Sep 4, 2003

Frank Lee6 said:Also, maybe the moderators could keep an eye out so we don't end up seeing the same topics over and over again...

And what else can I tell you? Honestly, I've been in total survival mode the last few days, so I haven't really had a chance to get to everything on my list...

Andrew Hernandez MemberOP

20 messages
joined Nov 2005

#8 · Sep 4, 2003

Thanks for the replies.

Martine, by starting this thread on a topic I’m interested in, I clearly missed that one already exists.
If you're pointing this out to be helpful, maybe you could just drop a link?🙂

Jacob Wilson50 Active Member

103 messages
joined Sep 2016

#9 · Sep 5, 2003

Casey Palmer5 said:It's basically the American version of Virolex gel.

So, looking back at what I grabbed this summer back home (mostly because the sun was absolutely murdering my skin outdoors),
it was just some 5% Acyclovir cream from Belupo.

Casey Palmer5 Regular

470 messages
joined Jan 2016

#10 · Sep 5, 2003

It's basically the exact same thing, just under a different brand name.

Eric Newman65 Member

28 messages
joined May 2003

#11 · Sep 5, 2003

So, about three years ago my dermatologist prescribed some Virolex tablets, and knock on wood, I haven't had a single outbreak since then...

Alexander Hill2 Member

20 messages
joined Apr 2011

#12 · Sep 5, 2003

Frank Lee6 said:Andrew Hernandez,

Before you go opening yet another thread for the millionth time, do yourself—and the rest of us—a favor: actually dig through the old posts first. Search for the topic you're obsessing over. Chances are, someone has already tackled it, and you'll find the answers to every single question you're about to ask right there.

And honestly, the moderators could probably do a better job of making sure we aren't seeing the exact same topics being recycled over and over again. It’s like watching a broken record.

Look, people come to this forum because they have questions. They want to learn something new, get some insight, or actually engage in a real conversation. It shouldn't just be a digital graveyard where you scroll through the same tired threads from last year without anyone actually saying anything new. Discussion is supposed to be a two-way street, not just a repetitive loop of old info.

Why can't we stop repeating the same exact topics over and over again? Honestly, burnout only happens when it actually happens—we don't need to force it. If we keep going like this, we’ll eventually just be sitting around quoting old posts like some kind of broken record. Besides, the moderators are probably going to start cracking down on duplicate threads anyway to protect the site's structure.😢 👎 Look, if you roll a die three times and land on 1, 2, and 3, you can't just go back and demand those numbers again because they feel "spent." You can't ban the game from hitting those specific digits just because you think they've been used up. It’s impossible. Life doesn't work like that, and neither does probability. Once the dice are cast, that's it. You can't try to rig the math by claiming certain outcomes are off-limits.

If you actually wanted to be helpful, you could have at least included a link.

Look, no hard feelings, but there’s really no point in whining just because someone decided to start a smart discussion that might have been buried deep in some obscure corner of an old thread. New people bring new topics to the table. That's just how it works.

👍

Ethan Martinez11 Member

23 messages
joined Apr 2007

#13 · Sep 5, 2003

... coming from the man who has single-handedly opened more duplicate threads on this entire forum than anyone else at the IMF. 🙂

Ha, well, everyone scratches where it itches, doesn't matter how you look at it. 😁

Frank Lee6 Member

42 messages
joined Oct 2005

#14 · Sep 5, 2003

Alexander Hill2,

This isn't some groundbreaking new topic; it's just a repeated attempt to find answers to questions we've already covered extensively.

Spamming the same threads makes zero sense. It just clutters up the server space, not to mention forcing people to track three identical discussions in three different places.

If someone finds it too much effort to move their butt—and honestly, all it takes is one mouse click or typing a few letters to use that 'search' button in the top right corner—then that lazy person isn't worth my help.

Besides, this "brilliant" thread was actually relevant on these exact pages until about a month ago. We aren't talking about months or years of neglect here.
👎

Karen White13 Member

13 messages
joined Oct 2003

#15 · Sep 5, 2003

Frank Lee6 says:

Look, this isn't some groundbreaking new topic. It’s just someone asking the same questions we've already answered a dozen times before.

Spamming the same threads is pointless. It just clutters up the server space, not to mention it's annoying when people have to track three different threads all discussing the exact same thing.

If someone finds it too much work to move their ass—and honestly, it’s just a mouse click and typing a few letters—to go find what they're looking for using the 'search' button in the top right corner, then that lazy person isn't worth my time or help.

Besides, this supposedly 'smart thread' (by the way, which ones on this forum are considered stupid?) was perfectly relevant on these very same pages until about a month ago. So we aren't talking about months or years of outdated info here.

You aren't being helpful at all. This thread wasn't opened for an argument; it was opened to help people. If you're bored, go find something else to do.
🙄 🙄
Back home in the States, I used to use Chloramphenicol—it's actually an eye ointment, but it worked for me. Whenever I felt that stinging sensation, I'd apply it, and it kept the fever from kicking in.

Frank Lee6 Member

42 messages
joined Oct 2005

#16 · Sep 5, 2003

Andrew Hernandez,

Link - searching for the term 'cold sore'

Was it really that much trouble to look this up yourself?

Basically, everything you've heard about lip cold sores (herpes) is mostly accurate. Herpes is a viral condition that shows up as a scab on the lips—usually right where the mucous membrane meets the skin, though it can pop up on the skin or the mucous membranes both inside and outside the mouth. A weakened immune system is the main trigger, along with exposure to bacteria (like using unwashed glasses at a cafe or touching metal objects).

A drop in immunity can be caused by fighting off another illness (typically a common cold or a virus during the winter) or just general stress. You can take vitamins preventatively (like Pfizer's B-Complex) to make outbreaks happen less frequently, or even suppress them for longer periods.

For treatment, Virolex cream is the most effective option (it’s a bit pricey for the size, but worth every penny), and you should apply it as soon as possible—ideally before the area starts swelling or forming a blister.

Using simple grape seed ointment (which used to be huge) or ChapStick (these days) also helps prevent issues during the winter, because when the skin on your lips cracks from the cold, herpes often follows.

So, there it is—brief, yet quite thorough.
Now we can start taking bets on how many months it will take for this exact same topic (with the same questions and answers) to resurface. 😉

Karen White13,

I'm neither bored nor interested in bickering. It's just that I don't care for people who expect others to provide answers they could easily find on their own.

Andrew Hernandez MemberOP

20 messages
joined Nov 2005

#17 · Sep 5, 2003

Frank Lee6 said:If someone can't be bothered to move a muscle—though really, a single mouse click and typing a few letters should suffice—and actually look for what they need (that's what the 'search' button in the top right corner is for), then honestly, such a lazy person isn't worth my time helping.

Thanks, Frank Lee6, for taking the effort to provide a link that helps me find exactly what I was looking for.
The link just leads back to this same thread from way back when—December 12, 2002!!! So, I don't quite get why you were so impatient, but...

At least you pointed out the search function to me; I've never actually used it before.
As for medication, I picked up some Virolex, which has been incredibly effective for the three outbreaks I've had popping up one after another lately.
I think I'll try taking a dose of B-Complex as a preventative measure.

Frank Lee6 Member

42 messages
joined Oct 2005

#18 · Sep 5, 2003

It’s true this thread was started way back in 2002, though the last update was in May 2003. That’s actually pretty recent, considering the fever "season" usually hits during the winter and flu months. 😉

You can grab some B-Complex over the counter—I don't think you even need a prescription for it—but it wouldn't hurt to check in with a dermatologist just to be safe.

Virolex works best when you apply a thin layer over the entire scab (or right on the spot on your lip where it starts itching, before the scab even forms). If the scab has already developed—since these infections often flare up while you sleep—try to apply it as many times as possible throughout the day.

Andrew Hernandez MemberOP

20 messages
joined Nov 2005

#19 · Sep 11, 2003

From Healthline:

Oral herpes (herpes labialis) is caused by the Herpes Simplex type 1 virus. A related strain, Herpes Simplex type 2, causes genital herpes. While type 2 can occasionally cause symptoms around the mouth, type 1 is usually the culprit.

Almost everyone carries this virus. Most people are first exposed during childhood, often through contact with someone showing active oral symptoms or someone who is an asymptomatic carrier.

Once the virus takes hold in the body, it stays there indefinitely; there is currently no cure or vaccine. However, being infected doesn't always mean you'll actually experience symptoms.

In fact, many people never develop any clinical symptoms at all. Studies suggest that about 40% of people deal with occasional or frequent outbreaks—some experiencing them as often as once a month, while others might go five to ten years between episodes.

electricdriver78 Active Member

90 messages
joined Dec 2002

#20 · Apr 13, 2004

I've got one popping up right inside my nostril, just at the opening, and the pain is honestly driving me crazy...

It actually feels way worse than when I get them on my lip

I've been trying this Viractin ointment, but it isn't really doing much to help...

Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get rid of this as fast as possible?

Dealing with Herpes?

🔗 Similar threads